Snaps by Chris Teel

Hi guys!

2010-05-26T15:17:00.000-07:00

Sorry for the lack of updates here - I've been crazy busy with shoots, travelling for shoots, scouting models for shoots, editing shoots, etc etc... and I've been busy getting my website ready for launch.

I have launched the site and if you're interested in checking it out you'll find it at www.christeel.ca

I hope you like what you see! The website has a blog feature on it and you can follow my adventures there (whether you choose to become a member of the site or not). In order to simplify my postings, I've decided I will no longer post to this blog.

Join me and hear about my adventures at www.christeel.ca! Thanks again for all of your support!

First update of 2010

2010-01-06T22:44:00.000-08:00

Hi guys, just a quick update re: plans for 2010! I'm working on prepping for the launch of my new photography website, hoping to have it online in a week or two. Its been a long time coming and I hope you'll agree that its been worth the wait...

I'm casting a number of models regarding some projects I'm focussing on for the year - I will, of course, keep you updated as plans are solidified and the work gets underway... can't say too much yet but lots of good stuff in the works!

Completed a number of photoshoots recently so watch for pix of Javon, Anthony and Roman - all great looking models coming soon!

Thanks again for all of your support - keep in touch!

Goodbye 2009 - Hello 2010!

2009-12-31T16:01:00.000-08:00

2009 was a challenging year for many of us for obvious reasons. It was challenging for me in that I undertook a massive career change (corporate executive to photographer) right at the beginning of our little financial meltdown. However, I've been fortunate enough that I was able to spend this down cycle exploring and developing new skills, networking with innovative people I never would have met in my previous life and living my dream of creating images that would appeal to me and, I hoped, to many others.

I have a lot of people to thank for their support - including fashion designers, stylists, hair and makeup artists. Special thanks go to John and Ken from Superstein. Shortly after I met them, the guys entrusted me to shoot some models in their products and they have been very supportive ever since. I value the advice they've given me and look forward to working with my new friends going forward. In addition I need to thank my 'old' friends, particularly Rob and Curtis, who did not hesitate to help out whenever I needed extra hands. From managing lighting equipment to giving me business advice, Rob and Curtis have been there for me without hesitation.

Of course I could not have accomplished anything without the models I've worked with - many of them more than once, some of them several times. I have been continually impressed by the group of guys I've worked with - surprised (maybe I shouldn't have been...) at the talent they have. Many of these guys are gifted far beyond their looks - I've met singers who should be signed to music deals and artists who should have their own gallery shows. There's the model who has plans to be an underseas welder, the models who are schooling to become social workers, and others with goals to be sports stars, writers, fashion designers and, of course, supermodels.

In no particular order, I have to thank the 69 guys who've modelled for me, I've learned something from each of you and enjoyed the experience: Mardi, Stefano, Sergio, Claudiu, Roman, Christian, Ian, Marco, Orazio, Prez, Justin B, Justin H, Andrew, Anthony R, Ryan M, Marvin, David, Peter, Joe, Mike, Max, Leo, Nicolas, Cecil, Jason, Orlando, Jayden, Miles, Ethan, Criss, Javon, Sam, Johnny, Tim, Brandon, Roberto, Blayne, Sylvester, Leland, Mathew, Zack, Dylan, Matt, Kosta, Andrew C, Milan, Daniel R, Al, Jacob, Ryan L, Paris, Stephane, Michael R, Dimitri, Anthony M, Ryan S, Carlos, Chris R, Dalton, Sherif, Daniel A, Kehvyn, Edmond, Vadim, Greg, Jackson, Mark B, Felipe and last but certainly not least, Corry.

Finally, thank you to everyone who has followed me here, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and wherever else... I appreciate your feedback, comments and words of support.

2009 was spent focussing on honing my skills - watch out for many new and exciting activities and projects throughout 2010! Up first will be my new website, watch for that to come soon!

Have a great New Year's Eve and all my best for 2010!

Join Chris at the hottest New Year's Party

2009-12-31T15:11:00.000-08:00

What can I say about Chris? Really, I think these shots speak for themselves...

A-MAZ-ING model!!!

Happy Holidays!

2009-12-25T08:38:00.000-08:00

Santa slid down my chimney last night - he was naughty!

Sergio re-enacts the scene for your pleasure...

Mardi - Santa's Baby

2009-12-23T09:09:00.000-08:00

Mardi and I have shot 3 times so far and I just love working with him. Obviously he's very comfortable with his body but better than that is the big personality he has that shines so brightly in his images (awwww). When you're done checking out these shots you can see a lot more of Mardi at his own blog http://thenakedblackguy.blogspot.com/

Trust me, they were worth the wait!

2009-12-22T08:43:00.001-08:00

Seriously, how can you not fall in love with these images of Clau? That vulnerability, combined with that sexiness...

My new muse - Claudiu

2009-12-18T22:14:00.000-08:00

I had the fortune to work with Claudiu just yesterday and LOVED the experience. Not only is he gorgeous (down to his broken nose), he's a genuinely nice guy with a great personality. Just started editing the shoot and couldn't wait to post this. Many more to come!

Anthony

2009-12-16T19:52:00.001-08:00

Say 'Hi' to my newest recruit Anthony! Aside from the obvious physical attributes, Anthony has the most beautiful green eyes I've ever seen on a man.

Ian - Montreal

2009-12-15T15:56:00.000-08:00

I shot these images of Ian a few weeks back in Montreal. We'd been discussing how we could incorporate his song-writing into a photoshoot and he suggested using his lyrics to a tribute he had written in memory of Kurt Cobain.

Statue-esque

2009-12-13T15:16:00.000-08:00

First time ever covering a model with body makeup (he did most of the work) and it took almost 2 hours for 2 coats... Lots of fun to work with, watch out for more shots of Corry in the future!

Steph!

2009-12-10T21:12:00.001-08:00

Steph radiates pure, raw sexy masculinity in every shot... he's definitely ALL MAN!

Andrew

2009-12-01T11:41:00.001-08:00

I'm realizing I haven't posted these shots of Andrew - taken about 6 months ago in Chicago. This was Andrew's first photoshoot and despite the injuries he caused himself the day before - you may have noticed the scrapes, bruises and sunburn (xtreme frisbee apparently) - he did quite a good job!

I've selected Andrew to be my first cover model when the website launches - check back for more info!

Roman God in the heart of New York City

2009-11-30T15:21:00.001-08:00

Seriously, Sherif looks like he just stepped off a marble pedastal doesn't he? That nose, those lips, his chin and jawbone - they had to have been carved by an artist!

Dalton

2009-11-25T18:07:00.000-08:00

These shots definitely speak for themselves.... Dalton is a rare talent!

Send in the clowns - especially if they look like Justin!

2009-11-24T12:43:00.000-08:00

Shots these pictures of Justin in New York a few weeks ago. Great model who really brings emotion to whatever the concept is.... Lots more pix will be posted on the website (currently under construction) before the end of the year!

Earth Angel - Prez

2009-11-23T08:58:00.001-08:00

From my shoot in New York with Prez.... the costume was his, the background just happened to be painted on one of the walls in my hotel room. This shoot was meant to happen (eyes cast upwards....)

Montreal Pride - featuring the men of StockBar

2009-11-20T21:18:00.000-08:00

So the parade itself was great - very diverse groups and floats - the crowd was sexy and the weather was great. The StockBar float was the last of the group and I literally circled it 3 or 4 times, getting over 400 shots of the sexy guys throughout. The tamer shots are on my Facebook page, here I present some of the more 'mature' shots for your viewing pleasure...

Prez - Euro Cowboy in the Big Apple

2009-11-20T15:19:00.000-08:00

Prez has become my newest muse - our planned shoot of 2 hours stretched into 4 (glad the guy after him cancelled!). I found it interesting when he told me that I was the first photographer who told him he wanted 'clothed' shots of him...

I didn't object to the nude shots, of course - those will be posted shortly!

Fresh shots - Greg

2009-11-18T11:12:00.000-08:00

Victor or victim?

2009-11-17T10:43:00.000-08:00

Came across Mark in a grungy alley, behind a seedy bar. Not sure exactly what happened to him (he wasn't talking) but got some great shots nevertheless...

Mathew - Hallowe'en Treat!

2009-10-30T11:09:00.000-07:00

Who's your mummy?

You KNOW I've been waiting to use that one for a while now!

Enjoy these new shots of Mathew - as featured on DNA Magazine's blog - October 27th edition...

Wow, what a week!

2009-10-23T11:26:00.000-07:00

Aside from continuing to shoot some pretty darn hot guys (and spending hours in post-production - usually a day of editing for each shoot), I received an offer to photograph the guests attending one of Toronto's biggest (and best) fashion shows this Saturday night. It is estimated that over 4000 people will be attending the event and I'm photographing them at their best, on the red carpet!

OK, so normally that, on its own, would be a big deal. BUT, when it rains, it pours and I'm now going into discussions with a local designer to shoot a couple of months of their 2010 calendar. Not sure what the concept is yet, but they are using a half dozen photographers from New York, LA, Montreal and Toronto to create beautiful images highlighting their urban fashion line. More to come on that!

I've been planning my trip to NYC to shoot some of the hottest men on the planet and that's coming up in a couple of days. I leave Sunday morning for 10 confirmed shoots - still trying to arrange up to 5 more. It'll be busy but these shots will add a lot to my portfolio. Who knows, perhaps one of these guys will be the next DNA coverguy...

Speaking of DNA, my shots of Anthony are featured in this week's DNA newsletter, emailed to tens of thousands of 'DNA fans' across the globe. If you subscribe to the newsletter, check out the shots of Anthony Maggiore (taken over 6 months ago in Chicago) on the front page! It took me exactly 2 seconds to agree to DNA's request to post those puppies :)

In the meantime, I have about a dozen guys already shot and waiting to be seen. I will post a couple of them before leaving for New York!

Thanks to all of you for your ongoing support - all of the work I've been doing over the last year is now starting to lead to some pretty tangible results!

Mathew - revisited

2009-10-15T08:22:00.001-07:00

Normally when I shoot a model, I put him into a queue and get to his pictures when I get to them - the fairest way to do it as other models are waiting!

Unfortunately, I can't quite do that with Mathew. His photoshoot was so good, I keep coming back to his pictures.

Here are a few more - enjoy!

Mathew - my newest muse

2009-10-14T10:56:00.000-07:00

My newest model, Mathew, is phenomenal! Not only does he have a great face and awesome body, he gives a variety of looks and poses that maintains the viewer's interest. Give him a concept and he executes the look.

Definitely looking forward to working with Mathew again - more pix to come very soon from the rest of this shoot!

Marvin

2009-10-11T20:29:00.000-07:00

These shots come from my second photoshoot with Marvin. Watch for some pretty f'ed up shots coming from the 3rd shoot scheduled next weekend!

Enjoy these in the meantime!!

Zack - a Maritimer in T.O.

2009-10-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

Such a sweetie Zack is - must be the Maritime upbringing! Took these shots recently, there are plenty more to come!

Markus

2009-09-13T12:39:00.000-07:00

Shots from my second shoot with Markus. Though new to modelling, Markus is picking it up quickly and I am looking forward to our next shoot together!

Jackson Pryce

2009-09-09T21:54:00.001-07:00

These are some of the shots from my shoot with Jackson last week. I thought the contrast of the red and black against his skin tone would be quite interesting and dramatic!

Greg

2009-09-09T21:31:00.000-07:00

I have been crazy busy doing photoshoots and even busier in post-production. Here's a 'teaser' shot of Greg from our shoot last week. More to come in the next few days!

Shadowsmile

2009-08-31T21:16:00.000-07:00

His model name is Shadowsmile. Gaze upon those eyes and try to tear yours away...

Introducing Carlos!

2009-08-31T12:22:00.001-07:00

Shot these images of Carlos in Montreal a couple of weekends ago. Very sexy guy isn't he?

Bodyscapes - featuring Dylan

2009-08-29T22:01:00.000-07:00

When Dylan first approached me to shoot a series of 'bodyscapes' I wasn't too sure. So far, all of my work has featured the entire model - I like capturing the emotions in my models' faces... He shared some of his other work and I thought I'd give it a try. I realized, in the process, that 'parts' can look as good as the whole.

Hope you like these images!

Introducing Ryan!

2009-08-29T21:56:00.000-07:00

19 year old Ryan moved from the sticks to Montreal to attend school and to pursue a career in modelling. The guy can teach a master class on posing and has the potential to be a future supermodel!

Dylan - Bodyscape series

2009-08-23T06:17:00.001-07:00

This shot comes from recent experimental photoshoot (for me at least) with Dylan. Dylan regularly poses for sculptors and painters and can hold a pose for hours. He approached me to do a series of extreme closeups to show that every part of the human body can be viewed as artistic in of itself.

No one can deny the beauty of this piece - I mean just look at the way the light bounces off the hair of his left arm against that background!

More shots of Dylan's Bodyscapes to be added soon...

Dimitri

2009-08-20T22:24:00.001-07:00

Shot in Montreal last weekend, Dimitri gave great pose! Check back for shots from the other shoots done that weekend with Ian, Ryan and Carlos!!

Montreal models

2009-08-19T21:14:00.000-07:00

Shot 4 very different guys in Montreal last weekend and am now busy with post-production. This is a shot from Dimitri's "Erotica"-inspired shoot.

Check back every day for more of Dimitri as well as Carlos, Ian and Ryan!

Konstantinos!

2009-08-12T22:25:00.000-07:00

Yeah, he's pretty dressed up (and looking good!)

Superhero Sergio

2009-08-11T09:12:00.000-07:00

I LOVE working with Sergio - so fun and willing to try new ideas! Checkout shots from our recent shoot!

Brian

2009-08-08T09:29:00.000-07:00

Shot Brian about a week ago for a local underwear design campaign (waiting for word on whether the images will be used on her website). In addition, we shot the pictures below. Great guy with lots of energy and experience posing!

Eugene

2009-07-28T20:18:00.001-07:00

These shots of Eugene, in underwear by Candi Factory, were taken last Sunday. Fun guy to work with!

Tragic Bunny

2009-07-26T20:30:00.000-07:00

A peek inside the tragic life of a roadside mascot as played by Paris Taylor

Mardi models Ginch Gonch

2009-07-23T18:55:00.003-07:00

No one else makes Ginch Gonch jocks look as good as Mardi does!

Beautiful Cupid - Ryan!

2009-07-21T19:59:00.000-07:00

This was a great photoshoot, Ryan really brought 'it' to the shoot. Ranging from cute and innocent to raunchy and broken-down, he brought the concept to life!

Cupid's a little early

2009-07-19T19:58:00.000-07:00

So he decides to take a bit of a break... Check back soon to see additional shots of Ryan as a very cute Cupid...

Vamp Love

2009-07-15T13:16:00.000-07:00

Inspired by the tv show "The Lair", these photos are from a series taken at Toronto's Gladstone Hotel. The models brought a lot to the shoot, delivering on my vision of moody and dangerous sensuality...

New model Jason!

2009-07-13T13:48:00.000-07:00

These shots of Jason were taken at a local hotel's abandoned ballroom - apparently untouched since the '50s... Great model, great location!

Sleep sweet lover... sleep...

2009-07-11T22:01:00.000-07:00

An outtake from my 'vampire lovers' shoot - more to come!

Naughty Sergio

2009-07-11T14:46:00.000-07:00

So much fun to work with, this was my 2nd shoot with Sergio. Shots were taken at the Gladstone Hotel - check out the dreadlock poster bed!

What's he looking at?

2009-07-10T09:21:00.000-07:00

It must be the beautiful blue water - not the murky green water poor Mardi had to sit in for some of the shots :P

The upcoming week in photoshoots

2009-07-10T08:07:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for a cool shoot this afternoon with Justin. You'll never look at ice cream the same way again! After that, 3 more shoots over the next week with Jason, Ryan, David and Marvin. Stay tuned and come back frequently to see the results!

In the meantime, enjoy these shots of Mardi taken at Toronto's Hanlan Point a week before the city workers' strike cut off access to Toronto Island. More pix of Mardi can be found at www.modelmayhem.com/christeel

Liam

2009-07-09T12:28:00.000-07:00

A talented dancer, these pictures come from Liam's first official photoshoot a few weeks ago.

A little nervous at first, Liam quickly warmed up and used his flexibility and strength to deliver great shots! Additional images can be seen at www.modelmayhem.com/christeel - check them out!

Welcome!

2009-07-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't follow me on Facebook, Model Mayhem or other networking sites, my name is Chris and I am a photographer based out of Toronto, Ontario.

I could shoot pretty pictures of vases, or 'do' weddings but my interest lies mostly in capturing artistic images of the male physique. Previously a hobby, I started focussing (pun intended) on shooting male models about 8 months ago and absolutely love doing what I'm doing. I enjoy the entire process from conceptualizing an idea, to casting for models, hunting for props and doing the shoot itself. At the end of the day, its all about delivering an image and I get a lot of satisfaction when the model and/or client reacts positively to the work done.

I've met a lot of great people over a short period of time and am working towards doing this professionally, for the rest of my life :)

Along with pictures posted on my Facebook (link to follow) and Model Mayhem (www.modelmayhem.com/christeel), I will be posting images from my photoshoots here on my blog. The images here MAY, on occasion, be a bit more explicit than those found on FB or MM due to their posting rules. Therefore, do not view the content posted here unless you are of legal age to do so in your area (there - legalities are out of the way!).

I am ALWAYS looking for male models, comfortable with their bodies, interested in posing for artistic shots. I have a lot of concepts I want to explore and am willing to incorporate your ideas as well. Shoots are always professional in nature and a lot of fun! As I'm building my portfolio, I am looking for models also interested in building theirs. You don't need to be experienced, just willing to try something new! You will get copies of the pictures in exchange for your time. Touch base if you're interested (Facebook me, or email me at cteelphoto@gmail.com).

Check back on a regular basis for new shots and follow me as I continue on my journey!